**1921**

The essence of the [workers'] position consists in the "idea": "we do not want to work for capitalists"
or a variant: "we do not want to work for capitalists, if nearby
workers are working not for capitalists."

The harm of this prejudice (refuted both by our RCP
program and by Marxism in general) is clear from the following approximate
calculation, which provides a vivid summary of the specialists' reports.

We extract 100a
of oil.
Extraction is falling.
Water saturation threatens catastrophe.
If we attract a concessionaire who will help
us extract 100a + 100b of oil, and if we pay him
98b for this, then our extraction, although slowly (100a + 2b), will increase, instead
of falling.

The question arises: are the workers, who
give 98b out of 100b to the concessionaire, working "for capitalists," or for Soviet power?

The answer is not difficult.

I very much request that you review as quickly as possible the attached materials
and reports, so that a decision can be made as soon as possible.
Any delay is extremely dangerous.

Lenin

**TELEGRAM TO L. V. KRASIN**
**LONDON**

**March 19, 1921**

Krasin,

The Party Congress approved the line on concessions in Grozny and Baku that I defended*. Accelerate negotiations on these, as well as on all other concessions. Inform me more frequently.

Lenin

**TELEPHONE MESSAGE TO THE PRESIDIUM OF THE SUPREME COUNCIL OF THE NATIONAL ECONOMY**

**August 11, 1921**

Regarding SKF (Swedish ball-bearing company), I have serious doubts. Has the legal side of the matter been sufficiently clarified, i.e., has our interest been safeguarded?

* See Lenin. Works, vol. XXVI, pp. 278–279.

This interest requires that we in no way whatsoever permit any weakening of the principle that we are the owners of all nationalized enterprises and warehouses. Into the hands of former owners these enterprises and warehouses can pass only through their formal purchase of these warehouses from us. We can sometimes make a concession by transferring these enterprises
and warehouses at a low price, but we can never renounce
our right of ownership.

I request that you check this matter particularly carefully from the indicated point of view. I especially request that the check be carried out in the People's Commissariat of Justice, where Kursky personally knew and conducted this matter, and we must either locate Kursky or find in the Commissariat of Justice a person no less informed than Kursky.

Lenin

**REPLY TO A NOTE FROM THE SECRETARY***

**Not later than August 17, 1921**

If it is "unanimous," then I am ready to sign immediately and the matter is concluded. Let all members (of the subcommittee and committee) sign, and I will sign.

If that is not the case and a commission with my participation is needed for some reason, then let us set a deadline right now: either today at 9 o'clock,
or tomorrow at 12 o'clock,
or Friday at 12 o'clock.

Contact Kursky by telephone.

* Secretary of the Council of People's Commissars, M. I. Glasser, reported to V. I. Lenin: "Vladimir Ilyich, I inquired of Kursky why he did not submit yesterday to the Council of People's Commissars the question of concessions with the firm SKF (ball-bearing). He said that their subcommittee had come to a unanimous decision about the impossibility of fulfilling the main condition itself (transfer of warehouses to them), which this company stipulates. Therefore they find it necessary to reconsider this question again in a commission with your participation."